Astrophysical Sciences and Technology MS degree

Program overview

There has never been a more exciting time to study the universe beyond the confines of the Earth. A new generation of advanced ground-based and space-borne telescopes and enormous increases in computing power are enabling a golden age of astrophysics. The MS program in astrophysical sciences and technology focuses on the underlying physics of phenomena beyond the Earth, and on the development of the technologies, instruments, data analysis, and modeling techniques that will enable the next major strides in the field. The program's multidisciplinary emphasis sets it apart from conventional astrophysics graduate programs at traditional research universities.

Plan of study

The MS program comprises a minimum of 32 credit hours of study. The curriculum consists of four core courses, two to four elective courses, two semesters of graduate seminar, and a research project culminating in a thesis.

Master's thesis

Typically following the first year, but sometimes initiated during the first year for well-prepared students, candidates begin a research project under the guidance of a faculty research adviser. A thesis committee is appointed by the program director and consists of the student's adviser and at least two additional members, one of whom must be a faculty member in the astrophysical sciences and technology program. The final examination of the thesis consists of a public oral presentation by the student, followed by questions from the audience. The thesis committee privately questions the candidate following the presentation. The committee caucuses immediately following the examination and thereafter notifies the candidate and the program director of the results.

Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 (or equivalent) in course work in mathematical, science, engineering, and computing subject areas.

Submit scores from the GRE.

Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.

Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.

Submit two letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources.

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. A minimum TOEFL score of 79 (internet-based) is required. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 is required. The English language test score requirement is waived for native speakers of English or for those submitting transcripts from degrees earned at American institutions.

Additional information

MS to Ph.D. transfer

Students making good progress in their course work and research project may be permitted, by program approval, to attempt the Ph.D. qualifying examination. Upon successfully passing the exam, students may choose to transfer to the Ph.D. program rather than pursue a terminal master of science degree. This is contingent on the availability of an adviser and research funding.

Quarter Curriculum - For Reference Only

Effective fall 2013, RIT converted its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. The following content has been made available as reference only. Currently matriculated students who began their academic programs in quarters should consult their academic adviser for guidance and course selection.

Program overview

There has never been a more exciting time to study the universe beyond the confines of the Earth. A new generation of advanced ground-based and space-borne telescopes and enormous increases in computing power are enabling a golden age of astrophysics. The MS program in astrophysical sciences and technology focuses on the underlying physics of phenomena beyond the Earth, and on the development of the technologies, instruments, data analysis, and modeling techniques that will enable the next major strides in the field. The multidisciplinary emphasis of this program, jointly offered by the Department of Physics, the School of Mathematical Sciences, and the Center for Imaging Science, sets it apart from conventional astrophysics graduate programs at traditional research universities.

Curriculum

The MS program comprises a minimum of 45 quarter credit hours of study. The curriculum consists of 27 quarter credit hours of core courses (including a three credit research graduate seminar sequence), a minimum of 12 quarter credit hours of graduate elective courses, and a research project culminating in a thesis (12 research credits).

Electives

Elective courses available to fulfill the minimum total of 27 quarter credit hours of course work include additional courses in astrophysics, detector development, digital image processing, computational techniques, optics, and entrepreneurship, among others. These may be courses offered by the astrophysical sciences and technology program or by other RIT graduate programs (e.g. imaging science, computer science, engineering).

Master's thesis

Typically following the first year, but sometimes initiated during the first year for well-prepared students, candidates begin a research project under the guidance of a faculty research adviser. A thesis committee is appointed by the program director, consisting of the student's adviser and at least two additional members, one of whom must be a program faculty member. The final examination of the thesis consists of a public oral presentation by the student, followed by questions from the audience. The thesis committee will privately question the candidate following the presentation. The committee will caucus immediately following the examination and thereafter notify the candidate and the program director of the results.

Semester conversion
Effective fall 2013, RIT will convert its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. Each program and its associated courses have been sent to the New York State Department of Education for approval of the semester plan. For reference, the following charts illustrate the typical course sequence for this program in both quarters and semesters. Students should consult their graduate program adviser with questions regarding planning and course selection.

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (Internet-based) is required. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores will be accepted in place of the TOEFL exam. Minimum scores will vary; however, the absolute minimum score required for unconditional acceptance is 6.5. For additional information about the IELTS, please visit www.ielts.org.

For candidates with a bachelor's degree in another area than those listed above, or lacking in adequate academic preparation, bridge and foundation course work may be necessary prior to full admission.

Additional information

MS to Ph.D. transfer

Depending on each student's progress in their course work and the research project, students may be allowed to attempt the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination. On successfully passing the exam, students may choose to proceed to Ph.D. candidacy rather than accepting a terminal master of science degree. This is contingent on the availability of an adviser and research funding.